Real-life MMD: Should I cut back so I can sponsor a marathon run?

DKLS

A Marathon of half marathon isnt much of an achievement these days (unless he has no legs etc) the office 'salad dodger' managed a 10k run at the weekend.

I have stopped giving to all of those types of requests, unless it was for a full marathon being chased by Tigers I wouldnt part with a penny.

I give to certain charities every month and whatever good cause tugs at my heart strings e.g. recent post on another forum.
A members son who is 11 and has weeks to live, wanted a Petrolhead event for him as he loves cars so much, so far there seems to be about 600 cars signed up, with some great exotica and sportscars such as Lambos and Ferraris, as well as more humble wheels like mine.

happyinflorida

Are you asking because you are too embarrassed to tell your relative the truth and are looking for excuses you can give to get you out of giving again this year?

I've never been embarrassed to say "sorry but I can't afford it" or much and either don't give - especially if it's a charity I don't like to give to, such as cancer one's because they experiment on animals and I'm totally against that! I think it's fine to give £1 if you want to - personally I wouldn't be insulted by that, I'd rather people gave me what they could afford. I know frequently that people who are very well off give ridiculously low amounts - one man at work was a magistrate, had 5 companies he ran and did the job I was at and would give £5 maximum for anything, very tight fisted! :mad:

Think up excuses if you want to - just make sure they're believable and you can't be caught out!

skybluearmyontour

I have run several half marathons and I was sponsored for my first, but I never asked for any of the others. If I ever make it to a full marathon, I will probably ask again.

I was also sponsored to climb Kilimanjaro. Rather than choose the option of having to raise a minimum sponsorship and paying a deposit way, I paid for the whole trip myself and paid out over a thousand of my own money. That way every single penny of what I raised went to charity. Between my friend and myself we raised circa 3k.

Is that really so bad?

mr-tom_2

I refuse to sponsor people unless the circumstances are exceptional. When I want to support a charity, I do so with my own money, so when my friends want to support a charity, I expect them to do so with their own money, not mine. By exceptional, I mean running to the centre of the sun, selling all their organs or something genuinely impressive, not blagging a free bit of skydiving.

Kids are the other exception as they often have little money of their own, but again, I expect them to be doing something worthwhile.

Personal charity support, I have a 12.5% rule. If the charity skims more than that off the top (including gift aid) prior to the money reaching the intended recipients, then I simply won't support them. There are too many inefficient charities, and too many of them spend 30p plus in every pound on advertising.

If it is somebody I care about offending, then frankly it is all the more important that I am honest with them.

Likewise I absolutely never give via just giving, which is a massively expensive parasitic organisation (look at how much they keep). Virgin money giving is much better (and no, I don't work for them)

bogwart

Why should you? Charity is discretionary, and if it's a problem for you to afford the sponsorship there'll always be another time. This is the kind of arrangement it's all too easy to slip into, and difficult or embarrassing to discontinue. If things are that tight just have a word with your relative and tell him/her you can't do it this year - no need to go into chapter and verse or to feel guilty.

akbrooker

You feel 'obliged'. Presumably you're not actually 'responsible' for him or his charity but, for you, all options are bad: lose the cash, lose face or favour, or have an awkward talk with someone.

Which will actually make you feel worst? The last may look the worst and be the easiest to avoid (by just paying up and going without).

But how bad will you feel if you do give in and pay up? Again, and next year. Sorry I have no easy solution and I'd feel just as awkward.

davidroth

If you can't afford it don't worry about it. I've asked for sponsorsip on many previous occasions and several requests have been refused simply because one can't sponsor/give to every charity. Just tell the truth and say sorry but you have no spare cash - your relative shouldn't be offended.

joehoover

It really depends how much you normally sponser.

Like most people these days we get inundated with these sponsorships now. And many people ignore them as therre are so many, but instead of fewer people paying more it really does make more sense if more people paid small amounts even a couple of quid, they'd end up with more in the long run. So this is something they should play on when asking for sponsers, ask someone to not get that cup of coffee at the station and send them that £2.50 instead. Everyone can make a small sacrifice, if it even is a sacrifice considering some of the money we chuck away! They could ask people to raid their penny jars, even for a couple of quid, rather it be helping a cause then sitting there.

Amount I give depends on the cause for me and how well I know the person. And I make a joke to them of how I'll save that money and it's actually true. I calculated the cost of me stopping off at the pub after work one night and sent them that and just went straight home instead. I would have spent it anyway, but it was no hardship cutting that out.

Likewise, if you get a takeaway on a Friday, cook instead or just go to the chippy as it's much cheaper then a takeaway delivery if you still need a junk food fix after work of a weekend.

And it's a great lesson for yourself when you realise how quickly you can spend money on nothing and on things you don't miss so helps you budget better anyway.

akbrooker

Trouble is, people do feel guilty even if they shouldn't.

vebeus

As a runner I would encourage you to sponsor your relative. I ran a half marathon in rain and sleet back in March and it was only the thought of all the sponsorship that I had that kept me going.
A) Because I really wanted to help a charity that was close to my heart and I didn't want to let everyone down. Even a small amount would be welcomed I'm sure.